Deputy Managing Director, Energy 4 Impact (E4I) at Mercy Corps

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Vision, Strategy and Organizational Development
• Working with the E4I MD and E4I SMT, develop and champion a vision for growth of E4I globally.
• Lead the planning, development, and execution of the E4I energy strategy, including managing iterations of strategic vision documents.
• Develop recommendations for E4I’s organizational restructuring and support operationalization of the new structures.
• With the E4I SMT, develop and operationalize new energy services and verticals that respond to sector needs in alignment with E4I’s core capabilities to drive the global growth of the E4I platform.
• Support the effective functioning of the E4I SMT through clear delineation of roles and responsibilities, agenda setting, and reporting on organizational priorities.
• Lead planning and facilitation of an annual E4I strategy refresh.
• Conduct data-driven analysis to support and make recommendations on strategy and organizational performance.
• Present results to the MD and Mercy Corps’ leadership teams.
• Operational Oversight, Technical Leadership and Quality Assurance
• Support the MD to oversee the daily operations of the E4I platform ensuring that E4I teams are performing and providing the services required to ensure E4I grants and contracts are effectively delivered.
• In collaboration with E4I’s MD and SMT, create a framework to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of E4I’s energy programs and consulting services.
• Direct technical operations on select large, high-priority energy programs working with E4I’s MD and SMT.
• Provide hands-on support to the Head of Advisory Services to ensure technical excellence and efficient performance of advisory teams.
• Ensure learnings are integrated to improve E4I’s operations including in ongoing energy programs and in the design of new, large-scale programs and technical services.
• Provide support to teams at key program stages including program start-up, kick-off meetings, inception meeting check-ins, quality audits and spot checks, and end of program transitions.

Organizational Growth

• With the respective department heads, define and execute growth strategies and fundraising plans for E4I’s new energy services and verticals.
• Oversee fundraising efforts for select high priority major energy programs, working closely with the E4I MD, and the relevant Mercy Corps business development teams.
• Build and manage relationships with strategic global energy donors and partners.
• Provide technical leadership on proposals by setting the vision and strategy, driving program design, defining competitive partnerships, and negotiating partner scopes of work, informing budget development, and leading writing of technical proposal sections.
• Lead deal-closing for select high priority major energy programs and consulting services.
• Represent select energy programs at industry conferences and events as a presenter or participant.
• People Management and Planning
• Manage and mentor small team of energy program managers and professionals in Kenya and globally, helping them to deliver programs and grow their skills and experience.
• Review E4I’s staffing structures, prepare E4I’s new personnel planning and job descriptions, and oversee recruitment and onboarding of new E4I team members.
• Be a champion for the mission, vision and values of E4I and Mercy Corps.
• Promote and encourage a transparent, collaborative and ethical work culture, with a focus on open feedback and professional development.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• Graduate or Postgraduate Degree in Business Management, Economics, Finance, International Development, Energy, Environment, Climate Change or other relevant subject

Experience

• 15+ years’ experience in wide-ranging, cross-functional business areas
• Experience in an energy access context in Africa working at the nexus of program leadership, strategy, and operations
• “Hands-on” experience in program development, strategic planning, and program implementation
• Experience designing and delivering energy access portfolios in Africa in partnership with the private sector
• Fundraising experience

Skills

• Excellent leadership and motivational skills. Track record managing a diverse mix of professionals and different cultures
• Program and project conceptualization and design skills
• Excellent organization and project management skills. Ability to manage multiple programs and client engagements, meet deadlines and allocate resources and budgets effectively
• Ability to develop partnerships and strong and effective relationships with different stakeholders.
• Ability to mentor clients and help them develop solutions
• Ability to critique and develop financial models
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Effective public speaker or workshop facilitator
• Fluent English

Personal Qualities

• Team player
• High energy
• Attention to detail and a focus on results
• Ability to think outside the box, to see the big picture and connect the dots
• Ability to work calmly under pressure
• A can-do and collaborative mindset
• Willingness to travel internationally, sometimes at short notice
• Passion for working in the development and impact sector
• Close alignment with the mission and values of Mercy Corps

Supervisory Responsibility

• E4I Head of Advisory Services
• Senior Energy Program Development Manager
• E4I Program Managers

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Managing Director of E4I
• Works Directly With: Those under supervisory responsibility, E4I SMT, Regional Program Teams, Regional and Country Directors, Technical Support Unit, International Finance, Business Development Teams (New Initiatives, Corporates and Foundations, Strategic Partnerships), Program Performance and Quality.